Yep agreed. It is the guides and the drive chain including the Capstan that make up two of THE only reasons why I don't similarly rate the 1200HD as high as Tom does.
Bills excellent and expert assessment of the GS is of course also spot on.
They are without doubt, one of THE most sophisticated projectors ever made in the Super 8 world.
State of the art electronics back then, no doubting that!
My only qualm is simply this, if they can scratch means at some point, it most probably would.
At the price this machine was when new, for me personally, I find this unforgivable given the high expense of the film that runs through them.
No other machine at this price point ever had such notorious wear problems associated with their guides and therefore damage to the films when worn.
Many at a much lower price point, are far safer machines to place your precious movies through.
I know they can, and are, modified by people as gifted as Bill, but not everyone has a person like this to hand and then what?
Furthermore, should you be forced into having to do any of these things given the customer base and price point this projector was pitched at?